Process of extracting silver from ores



(No Model.) 2 Sheets-Sheet v1.1

' G. A. KOENIG. Process ofBxtracting Silverfrom 0res-. NO. 235,784. Y Patented De'c. 21,1880.

N. PETERS, FHOTO-UTHCGRAPNER, wASmNGTpN; [1CA (No Model.) 2 Sheets-Sheet 2.

G. A'. KGENIG,

Process of Extracting Silver from Orels. No. 235,784. Patented Dec. '21,1880'.r

N.PETRS. PHOTo-MTMOGHAPHER, WASHINGTON. p.C,

UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE,

GEORGE A. KOENIG, OF PHILADELPHIA, PENNSYLVANIA.

PROCESS OF EXTRACTING SILVER FROM ORES.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 235,784, dated December 21, 188C.

Application led June 19, 1880. (No model.)

To all whom t may concern Be it known that I, GEORGE AUGUSTUS KOENIG, a subject ofthe Emperorof Germany, residing in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, U. S. A., have invented au Improved Process ot' Extracting Silver from Its Ores, of which the follovvingis a specification.

My invention relates to an effective and economical mode ot obtaining chloride of silver from silver ores; and my invention consists, mainly, in subjecting` the pulverized ores to the combined action ot' a decomposing agent and a solvent applied under heat and pressure, as described hereinafter.

In the accompanying drawings, Figure 1 is a vertical section ot' apparatus which I prefer to use'in carrying my invention into eifect,

and Fig. 2 a side view of Fig. 1.

A is a plate-iron vessel, madein the form of a hollow disk, to which are secured the two substantial plates B B', of cast-iron-one on each side of the vessel-each plate being furnished with an annular liange, b, adapted to the peri pheries of Wheels d, the shafts ot' which turn in suitable bearings on stands or frames Gr, secured to a suitable foundation, H, so that the vessel admits of being revolved at pleasure.

Within the outer vessel, A, and united thereto at points a, is an inner vessel, I, forming, with the said outer vessel, two steam-spaces, J J, and this inner vessel is lined with lead, or is otherwise so lined as to resist both the abrading action ot' the ore and the chemical action ofthe decomposing agents and solvents, as explained hereinafter.

Through a central stuffing -box, e, on the plate B of one side of the vessel passes a pipe, f, communicating in one direction through a tube, y, with the steam-space ot' a boiler, and in the other direction with one ot' the spaces J, connection between the latter and the other space J being made by an external tube, J', so that by opening a cock with which the tube g is furnished steam may be admitted to the two spacesor steam-jackets, which should be provided with a suitable outlet.

Through the pipe f extends a tube, K, extending across the steam-jacket to the interior ofthe lined inner vessel, to one side of which itt-should be secured in any suitable manner,

nicating Within the same With another tube,

It', having two branches, m and a, each furnished with a suitable cock, the brauch m communicating with the steanrspace ot' the boiler and the tube n with a suppl;7 ot' water.

The pipe j', its tube g, box fi, and tubes k', fm, and it, must be stationary, being held by any suitable appliances, so that when the vessel is rotated its stuffing-box e will revolve on the pipef, while the pipe 7c revolves in .the box i. By this arrangement I am enabled to introduce steam into thejackets at any time to introduce steam into theinteriorot' thelead-lined vessel, or to admit Wateriuto the same.

On the side plate, B', ot' the vessel is a ceutral tubular projection, h, furnished with a detachable cover, IL', the interior of this projection being lined with lead and communicating with the interior of the leadliued vessel I.

A tube, fw, furnished with a suitable cock, extends through and is secured to the cover h', and to this tube may be secured, by a suitable swiveleonnection, a tube communicating with a generator of chlorine gas, which it has not been deemed necessary to illustratein the drawings.

On the end otl the vessel is a lead-lined branch, p, through which the said vessel is charged, and through which the spent ore is discharged, and there is on the end of the vessel another branch, q, to which is secured au annular casting, o, containing a iiltering-disk, y, which may be ot' porous iire'brick, and the annular casting is provided with a detachable cover, t.

The vessel while stationary is, in the. first instance. charged to about one-third ot its capacity with the pulverizedfore, either in a dry or moist state, a saturated solution of common salt equal in Weight to that ot' the ore being also introduced into the vessel. After closing the branch p of the vessel the latter is rotated for a sufcieut length of time to bring about an intimate admixture of the salt solution With the ore, and this adinixture may be facilitated by providing the lead-lined interior of the Vessel With projections, which should either be of leader clothed with lead, the projections being arranged spirally, or in any other manner which will promote the admixture of the con- IOO tents of the vessel. Steam is now admitted through the pipe K to the interior ot the vessel, so as to drive the air therefrom through the pipe fw, which has not yet been connected to the chlorine-gas generator. After the air has been expelled the steam is cut olf from the vessel, the cock of the pipe w closed, and cold water is admitted to the vessel by openin g the cock of the branch n. After a partial vacuum is thus created within the vessel the cock of the water-pipe is closed, and lthe tube ot' the chlorine-gas generator is then connected to the tube tu, the cock of which is opened, so as to permit the chlorine gas to enter the vessel. The vessel is now rota-ted until a gage attached to the chlorine-generator indicates that no further absorption ot' the gas takes place, after which the cock of the tube to is closed, and steam admitted first into the jackets to prevent condensation in the interior of the vessel and until the contents ofthe vessel are at the temperature ot' boiling water, after which steam is admitted to the vessel itself', which is rotated until all the chlorine introduced into the same has entered into chemical combination with the ore.

, 1t' the ore is ot' such a character as to dcmand a second or any further number of charges ot' chlorine, these must 'be made as above described,' the number ot' charges depending on the quantity of sulphurets originally present in the ore and upon the degree of roasting to which the ore may have been subjected.

'lhe treatment of the contents of the vessel having been completed, it is held stationaryin the position shown in the drawings, and the cover t is removed, when the internal pressure will force the liquid contents through the tilter, after which the ore remaining in the vessel is tirst washed with fresh salt solution to remove the adhering valuable metallic portions, and then with hot water to take up the salt, all being forced through the filter. The vessel is now turned to such a position that the spent ore can be discharged through the branch 19, when the vessel will be ready for a repetition of the above operations.

As regards the filtered salt solution, the silver may be removed from it by any of the processes heretofore practiced of obtainin g the silver from such solutions.

It may be remarked here that the ore to. be treated may or may not be roasted, the propriety of roasting the ore being determined by its quality but in no case should salt be used in roasting.

In place of chlorine gas, hypochloric or hypochlorous acids or aqua regia Ina-y be used as decomposing agents, having the same effect as chlorine gas when used with a saturated salt solution under heat and pressure; and other solvents may be used in place ofthe salt solution, in conjunction with the decomposing agent under heat and pressure, such, for instance, as chlorides of potassium, magnesium, iron, manganese, or copper.

I am aware that it has been proposed to treat ores ot' silver by boiling the same in a solution of common salt and hydrochloric acid in the presence of free chlorine gas; also, by applying chlorine to the treating-vessel from which the air has been exhausted; also, by mixing the ore with lime and water in airtight tanks, introducing chlorine gas thereto and adding acid; but the ditt'erence between these processes and my invention will bel readily understood by the foregoing specification.

I claim as my invention and desire to secure by Letters Patentl. rEhe mode described of treating silver ores for obtaining therefrom a solution of chloride'of silver, the said mode consisting in subjecting the ore to chlorine and common salt, or their equivalents, under heat and pressure, substantially as described. i

2. The mode described ot' first subjecting silver ore to chlorine and common salt, or their equivalen ts, under heat and pressure, and then separating the solution from the spentore by filtration, substantially as desc: ibed.

The within-described steam-iacketed vessel A, its branch p, ltering-discharge branch, and inlets and outlets, the whole being combined substantially as set forth.

In testimony whereof I have signed my name to this specitication in the presence of two subscribing witnesses.

GEORGE A. KOENIG.

Witnesses JAMES F. ToBIN, .HARRY SMITH. 

